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Some Elgin Independent School District students will spend part of their summer building rockets, problem-solving skills and confidence in the classroom as part of a hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics program.
Camp Invention, a nonprofit enrichment program developed in partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is slated for July 6-9. The STEM camp, open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, and its 2026 “Spark” curriculum encourages students to explore innovation through collaborative and project-based learning, according to officials.
“One of the biggest things for me is having them think critically and to really analyze things and break them down in order to build something,” Camp Director Tina Terrell said. “You want them to get excited about learning but also you want them to build that confidence and that belief in themselves.”
Activities include building and launching model rockets, designing and pitching inventions, conducting forensic investigations and solving real-world challenges students commonly face.
“It taps into those things that they may not have tapped into yet,” Terrel said. “They get to build something up from an idea and create things.”
The camp is being introduced in Elgin ISD for the first time in recent years, though some educators have prior experience with the program. Erin Muñoz, who was a past director with Camp Invention for roughly 15 years, said the program consistently draws returning students and positive feedback from families.
“Parents really enjoy it because they see their kids getting excited about science, math and technology,” Muñoz said. “Then they come back as teenagers and they want to give back.”
The program includes leadership opportunities for returning attendees. Junior high and high school students can serve as leaders-in-training or volunteers, earning service hours and recognition from the patent office, which Muñoz says can support future academic and career opportunities.
Terrell and Muñoz both said introducing STEM concepts at an early age is key to building interest and confidence for the future, and organizers are striving to make the program accessible. Scholarships are available to reduce costs, and families can pay tuition over time.
As Elgin and surrounding communities continue to grow, educators say programs like Camp Invention can help prepare students with the skills needed for future opportunities.
“We’re not promoting specific jobs,” Muñoz said. “But we’re promoting skills that will lead to jobs within those industries.”
Registration and additional information is available at invent.org/ programs/camp-invention.
